Cristiano Ronaldo, Jhon Duran Help Al-Nassr Into Asian Champions League Last Eight

A Cristiano Ronaldo penalty and a double from Jhon Duran fired Al Nassr into the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday, with a 3-0 second leg win over Esteghlal. Ronaldo, the Al Nassr captain, was reportedly rested for final week’s goalless draw within the first leg in Iran, nonetheless returned to guide the aspect at Al Awwal Park. Ronaldo scored from the spot halfway by way of the primary half. Al Nassr, one among three Saudi Arabian sides to dominate the west area’s group stage, wanted solely 9 minutes to take the lead in Riyadh.

Duran, a winter signing from English Premier League aspect Aston Villa, picked up a unfastened ball on the correct fringe of the Esteghlal penalty space and floated an outstanding chip over goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini. 

It marked the striker’s first objective within the competitors. 

Al Nassr doubled their benefit on 27 minutes after Sadio Mane, a UEFA Champions League winner with Liverpool, drew a foul from rival midfielder Zobeir Niknafs contained in the Esteghlal field.

Ronaldo casually stroked the spot-kick into the centre of the web to take his tally on this 12 months’s Champions League Elite to seven objectives in six appearances. 

The Portuguese star is the main scorer on this season’s Saudi Pro League, with 18 objectives.

Esteghlal’s night time received even worse simply earlier than half-time after they had been lowered to 10 males when Mehran Ahmadi inadvertently caught Al Nassr defender Mohammed Al Fatil with a stray arm within the face whereas attempting to protect the ball. 

VAR upgraded the foul to a yellow card and, with Ahmadi having earlier been booked, he was promptly despatched off.

Al Nassr went near including a 3rd in the beginning of the second half. First, Duran had an effort saved just for Ayman Yahya’s rebound to be cleared off the road. 

Minutes later, Duran thumped the Esteghlal crossbar with a shot from distance.

The Al Nassr ahead wouldn’t be denied his second, although, dragging a low shot contained in the close to publish after being teed up by former Chelsea winger Angelo.  

In Monday’s different match, two-time Asian champions Al Sadd booked their place within the final eight with a 4-2 combination victory in opposition to UAE champions Al Wasl.

The guests, held to a 1-1 draw within the first leg in Dubai one week earlier, took an early by way of Fabio Lima. 

However, Al Sadd replied with three objectives in 10 minutes from simply earlier than the half hour, with Mostafa Meshaal, Youcef Atal and Akram Afif discovering the web. Afif is the reigning Asian Player of the Year.

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